Generally, when you donate blood and is not transfused to a patient at that time, it has to be stored in a refrigerator so as to enhance its life. Obvious, the temperature in a refrigerator is far much below the normal body blood temperature. It happens that this ice-cold fluid is transfused into the body system, conditions like hyperthermia, arrhythmias, and shock are likely to occur. That is why reusable blood warmer are used so as to provide the fluid with the necessary and appropriate temperature before being incorporated into the body.
They are classified in three categories following the technology or technique used to provide heat. They include dry heat that uses hot air, water bath devices that use hot water as a heating medium and lastly the countercurrent machines which use electric power to provide heating. The process of raising the temperature is usually done in the cabinets before being transfused into the patient or in line during the transfusion activity.
This means that once the temperatures have been raised to the required which is in most cases is 37 degrees Celsius, this fluid has to be transfused because when not done, it will definitely cool down to the initial temperature. It also contains the ability to provide heat without tampering with living cells such as RBC and WBC.
Mostly, you need to use these devices during the process of transferring blood to a patient that requires not less than fifty percent of blood volume of their body. Also, you can use the devices when the amount you want to administer needs urgency or when you need to do it rapidly. The reason is that when you transfuse a higher amount of the cold fluid into the body, then the cases mentioned are likely to emerge because of the temperature will lower to the range which gets recommended. If the patient has cold agglutinins, then you can use these devices.
When a patient is likely to suffer cold agglutinins, these devices become very beneficial is eliminating this negative effect. On the other hand, elderly, neonates and pediatric patients should be accorded special considerations before this can be done to them. Also, people suffering cardiac and chronic disorders should also be treated in the same manner.
It is an advantageous device as the patients are able to attain the required body temperatures and any side effect of low or cold temperatures is eradicated. Another benefit of this device is that it does not get disposed of together with the bags and storage. It is used again and again. In the case of countercurrent, it only requires fixing it to the bag or the body and switching it on and starts operating.
However, it has certain limitations such as failure or temperature maintain technology. It can only prevent loss of heat by active warming but does not have a way in which the patient can be kept warm. That is why other methods like warming, water, blankets as well as pads can be used as another way or remedy to conditions like hypothermia.
They are not effective in providing warmth as other ways like using hot water baths, blankets, and pads do better than them in reducing hypothermia. However, their use cannot be compared with cold transfusions.
They are classified in three categories following the technology or technique used to provide heat. They include dry heat that uses hot air, water bath devices that use hot water as a heating medium and lastly the countercurrent machines which use electric power to provide heating. The process of raising the temperature is usually done in the cabinets before being transfused into the patient or in line during the transfusion activity.
This means that once the temperatures have been raised to the required which is in most cases is 37 degrees Celsius, this fluid has to be transfused because when not done, it will definitely cool down to the initial temperature. It also contains the ability to provide heat without tampering with living cells such as RBC and WBC.
Mostly, you need to use these devices during the process of transferring blood to a patient that requires not less than fifty percent of blood volume of their body. Also, you can use the devices when the amount you want to administer needs urgency or when you need to do it rapidly. The reason is that when you transfuse a higher amount of the cold fluid into the body, then the cases mentioned are likely to emerge because of the temperature will lower to the range which gets recommended. If the patient has cold agglutinins, then you can use these devices.
When a patient is likely to suffer cold agglutinins, these devices become very beneficial is eliminating this negative effect. On the other hand, elderly, neonates and pediatric patients should be accorded special considerations before this can be done to them. Also, people suffering cardiac and chronic disorders should also be treated in the same manner.
It is an advantageous device as the patients are able to attain the required body temperatures and any side effect of low or cold temperatures is eradicated. Another benefit of this device is that it does not get disposed of together with the bags and storage. It is used again and again. In the case of countercurrent, it only requires fixing it to the bag or the body and switching it on and starts operating.
However, it has certain limitations such as failure or temperature maintain technology. It can only prevent loss of heat by active warming but does not have a way in which the patient can be kept warm. That is why other methods like warming, water, blankets as well as pads can be used as another way or remedy to conditions like hypothermia.
They are not effective in providing warmth as other ways like using hot water baths, blankets, and pads do better than them in reducing hypothermia. However, their use cannot be compared with cold transfusions.
About the Author:
You can find a detailed list of the reasons why you should purchase a reusable blood warmer at http://www.bloodwarmersllc.com/outdoor-sports-supplies.html right now.
